If only I hadn’t read on his previous region’s RMB that he was coming to troll us. :)
“Imma do some trolling real quick”
The thaindom of the shire
The thaindom of the shire
Indeed. I believe the Directorship of the Office of Religious Affairs, and the Office of Public Affairs and Compliance need to be given out to the Elders.
Lots has happened between going to sleep and waking up!
Gideon is now the WA Delegate and Vice President - thank you Mendevia for your service.
As a result, there is now a vacancy in both the Speaker & Deputy Speaker roles. I have appointed Upper chantler as Speaker on an interim basis to ensure The Assembly can continue to operate. This is on the condition that after the current vote, Upper chantler must hold an election for the Speaker position as soon as is practically possible.
As Pavaludia has ceased to exist, the next on the Conservative Alliance's list was Ewereni who now returns as an Elder.
Furthermore, Rolenmar, after being appointed as an Elder, has resigned as Deacon of Foreign Affairs. I'd like to personally thank Rolenmar for the diligence shown in this position :) I have also appointed Rolenmar as the Director of the Office of Media & Communications. Rolenmar has also issued the following Executive Order which is now active:
PURPOSE OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER: This executive order shall define the role of external services (such as Discord) in the activity of the region.
SECTION 1: DISCORD AND THE USE OF EXTERNAL SERVICES FOR COMMUNICATIONS 1.1 NationStates shall always be the primary form of communication between nations in the region. 1.2 External services may be used as a secondary form of communication when NationStates' methods are deemed insufficient. 1.3 External services may be used as an alternative to telegrams for confidential communications between elders and/or regional officers. 1.4 External services must be free-to-use for nations in the region. This also applies to external services outlined in Section 2. 1.5 External services must be moderated by the Elder responsible for Media and Communications. 1.5.1 External services may be closed by the Elder responsible for Media and Communications.
SECTION 2: USING EXTERNAL SERVICES FOR OTHER REGIONAL ACTIVITY 2.1 The Board of Elders (with the support of the Assembly) may choose to use an external service or services to improve regional function. 2.2 All external services must be linked back to the region on NationStates, and must not become the primary way of performing that function; they can only complement NationStates.
Well, I guess Gideon is now Vice-President until a new WA Delegate is voted in (given we don’t seem to have one anymore?) Will he be able to resume his duties as Speaker after that, or will the election still go ahead?
I have filed a lawsuit against Ecclestia on the matter. Though I didn’t accept the position, he removed me from the Speakership and appointed his choice, though it violates our rules.
In the name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗻.
God our loving Father, grant us the grace to hear what we ought to hear, to see what we ought to see, that we might do what we ought to do, in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲'𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 is from 1 𝐓𝖍𝖊𝖘𝖘𝖆𝖑𝖔𝖓𝖎𝖆𝖓𝖘 4:9-12 New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: you should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more
This Chapter of Thessalonians mostly tells about what we should live, as children of God. I would like first to point out Saint Paul's attitude. He does not deny the current showcasing of charity between them, rather encourages to increase and go beyond. (This is me reiterating the reading) Going beyond does not mean to do a lot, but to give more love quietly. I remember the Holy Gospels, that no one should let the left hand know the right hand is doing, and Saint Paul's message of an increase in love is not for display or publicity stunt.
Fr. Dave reiterated in his homily for the novena and Fiesta mass of Santa Maria Goretti the quote of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, that Saints become saints because they do ordinary things with extraordinary love. This may be late to give a tribute to Saint Mary Goretti. I remember watching a story about Maria Goretti, she was a sweet and loving Child. When her father died, she prayed intensely even at work, the rosary for the repose of his soul. And when placed in a bad situation, her selfless act of charity in forgiving Alessandro and giving him conversion even after she died.
𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫: Maria Goretti is both a model to Young and Old, a hope that past offenses does not hinder one from conversion, and that love above all is the greatest thing anyone can do. 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲.
Santa Maria Goretti, strengthened by God's grace, you did not hesitate, even at the age of twelve, to sacrifice life itself to defend your virginal purity. Look graciously on the unhappy human race that has strayed far from the path of eternal salvation. Teach us all, especially our youth, the courage and the promptness that will help us avoid anything that could offend Jesus. Obtain for me a great horror of sin, so that I may live a holy life on earth and win eternal glory in Heaven. Amen.
I am incredibly saddened by what has happened. I wish that Gideon was still here and that we could resolve this dispute through the proper channels. I highly respect and appreciate all that Gideon has done in the Region. Unfortunately, many of Gideon's contributions such as the Rules of The Assembly have been deleted (by Gideon themself) which is unfortunately for the rest of us here in the UCN. Gideon - this region is always open to you and we will welcome you back completely.
For transparency, here is my response to Gideon's brief sent to Eluney our Chief Justice. I hope this will show that I tried to act fairly and in accordance with the law at all times. As you will see, I provided my endorsement of Gideon hoping that they would stand for Speaker again. I have no bad will against Gideon in any way.
Whilst I understand the Court has not yet agreed to proceed with this case, I am providing a response in anticipation of this being heard to enable a faster trial and resolution.
---
On 6th July, Gideon became the WA Delegate after receiving the most WA endorsements.
According to s12.1 of the Constitution, the WA Delegate, who is also the Vice President, serves as an Elder.
s7.2 of the Constitution states that 'Every resident shall be a member of The Assembly provided they ...are not [an]... Elder...
This meant that Gideon was no longer a member of The Assembly.
s7.3 outlines that 'The Speaker of The Assembly' must be a member of The Assembly: 7.3 The Assembly shall choose a member to serve as ‘The Speaker of The Assembly’ for a period of 4 months, as often as a vacancy in the office occurs.
As a result, Gideon was no longer eligible to serve as The Speaker of The Assembly.
As per s2.3 of the 'Rules of the Assembly of the Union of Christian Nations', 'the Deputy shall serve as Acting Speaker until a new Speaker is elected.'
To the best of my knowledge, Rolenmar was the Deputy Speaker until they had become Elder a few days ago. To the best of my knowledge, both the Speaker & Deputy Speaker roles were therefore vacant as I expressed on the RMB on 7th July 2022: '...there is now a vacancy in both the Speaker & Deputy Speaker roles...'. I consulted the Government Factbook which showed the Deputy Speaker role as vacant.
I decided to use my power to make an interim appointment to fill the vacancy in the position, as per 10.3.2 of the Constitution, due to its importance in the Region. I appointed Upper chantler as they were previously Speaker and I felt this would be the smoothest transition however did so on the condition that 'after the current vote, Upper chantler must hold an election for the Speaker position as soon as is practically possible.'
I believe I acted correctly and within the scope of the Constitution and in accordance with The Rules of Assembly.
Whilst I understand that Gideon did not want to take up the position and expressed this on the RMB, the Constitutional provisions were such that this is the course of action that needed to be taken. Should I have declined to follow this course of action, I would have been acting outside of the bounds of the Constitution and usurping the rule of law and due process requirements.
Despite Gideon resigning as WA Delegate, I do not have the power to reinstate Gideon as The Speaker as s7.3 requires the members of The Assembly to choose the Speaker. I have instructed the Interim Speaker to make arrangements for a vote 'as soon as is practically possible' which would allow Gideon to stand and be elected should they and the member of The Assembly wish. Personally, I sincerely hope this happens.
Since making this decision, I have learnt that Gideon had appointed The thaindom of the shire as Deputy Speaker in the following document: page=dispatch/id=1727004 [NOTE: This dispatch has since been deleted by Gideon]
I was not aware of this and would have appointed The thaindom of the shire had I known this.
I suggest that I remove Upper chantler as Interim Speaker and have The thaindom of the shire take on the role as per rule 2.3 of The Assembly - I will wait for direction from the Court if I can do this as I don't want to interupt the legal proceedings as I'm aware this is now in question.
Requested Conclusion Ecclestia's course of action is upheld & The thaindom of the shire 'shall serve as Acting Speaker until a new Speaker is elected.' (as per rule 2.3 of The Assembly).
Civitas asiae et pacificarum, The thaindom of the shire, Kerelen, and Alluxia
Please don't feel silly for requesting us to pray for you. We're always willing to do that :)
Civitas asiae et pacificarum, Eluney, The thaindom of the shire, Kerelen, and 1 otherThe presbyterian church
The thaindom of the shire
I’d like to state that I stand by Ecclestia’s actions. He did what was appropriate, and did so following the Law of the region. I hope Gideon does return and restore his documents, and I have asked him to do so.
I echo this. It's very sad Gideon has left over this. Perhaps we should have rules over endorsements, like other regions do, to avoid people "accidentally" becoming delegate.
It's sad that due to a misunderstanding, Gideon left UCN. It's done according to the law, and I am to recommend that we should have endorsements limits to avoid this in the future.
Perhaps our offices and roles are too complicated. Maybe we should simplify the situation.
Helmond, Civitas asiae et pacificarum, The thaindom of the shire, and Alluxia
Eluney
Dear All,
The Supreme Court has received Gideon's lawsuit against Ecclestia. The decision to take the case or not will be communicated to all of you as soon as possible, given the recent (and extremely rapid) changes in the region.
If I recall, Gideon sent a TG saying he no longer wished to continue the case. Besides, as he is no longer a UCN citizen, he can’t file cases except in the IRCJ.
After some consideration, I have decided to come back to the Region. Below is my public statement and I will comment no further on the matter.
On 6 July 2022, I received a default appointment as WA-delegate due to another nation's CTE. Rolenmar within 17 minutes withdrew his endorsement of me (which I was grateful for) and I publicly announced that I was not accepting the position. The WA takes hours to update, so I was listed as delegate in name only.
Despite my public refusal of the position and with no communication to me, Ecclestia assigned me as Vice President and appointed a new Interim Speaker. Despite my pleas, at no time was there any attempt to discuss the matter or come up with an agreed upon solution. I find it shameful that the President makes rash decisions regarding appointments and does so without a person even agreeing to the appointment. I feel that my time and efforts were disrespected by the Founder's unwillingness to even discuss the matter.
At this time, I do not plan to take any leadership role but will continue my position as an attorney.
I respect your statement. As me and my conduct are directly addressed, in fairness I’d like to exercise a right to reply to one section:
Despite my public refusal of the position and with no communication to me, Ecclestia assigned me as Vice President and appointed a new Interim Speaker. Despite my pleas, at no time was there any attempt to discuss the matter or come up with an agreed upon solution. I find it shameful that the President makes rash decisions regarding appointments and does so without a person even agreeing to the appointment. I feel that my time and efforts were disrespected by the Founder's unwillingness to even discuss the matter.
In the Constitution, s11.1 says that ‘The World Assembly Delegate shall serve as The Vice President of the Union of Christian Nations.’ I want to be clear that it was the Constitution that prescribed you as Vice President whether one decides to accept the role or not. My action was to update your title and give affect to the change. It was not a rash decision by me but a clear Constitutional reality. I am compelled to act consistently within the bounds of the Constitution which I did.
We exchanged a number of telegrams where I attempted to outline this, including answering your question on the legal basis for me appointing an interim Speaker and responding to your filed brief in the Supreme Court within 1hr with full legal reasoning. Whilst I would have liked to negotiate a solution, I was not in a position to do that as I would then have been acting outside the Constitution.
I accept the frustration at the process, which is always open for change, but regret that this frustration has been publicly directed toward me.
Whilst I retain the right to address strong accusations against myself and to clear the factual record, I am prepared and am very happy to draw a line under this and continue forward. I deeply respect all that Gideon has done and brought to the Region and look forward to working together to make the UCN a better place and to make the gospel a reality.
A gay and admirable resolve. We should all take note and strive for both self and communal improvement especially in times of tension and stress as exemplified by these two outstanding members of our community.